'Fro

Yesterday morning, my daughter calls from NYC with panic tone:

Bianca: Dad! Are you the one with a 'Fro and a funny looking clown tie?
Me: Yup.
Bianca: Ha ha ha! How did this happen?
Me: ( A thousand thoughts racing back to my chaotic past.) I just got a hair perm.
Bianca: Why?
Me: I was a big fan of Cassius Clay, Walt Frazier, Stevie Wonder, and the Commodores.

Ahh, all the things we do in search of identity.

Papa (standing far left, checkered jacket) / Mama (seated far left with my youngest sister Ricci) / Ate Cheryl (standing fifth from Papa) / Tommy (seated at the couch-arm far right) / MJ and Ces (seated at the floor directly in front of Mama / Lolo & Lola (center) / Uncles and Aunts and Cousins shown / + The only guy with spectacles, afro hairdo, organic beach tan, clown Pierre Cardin tie, and super-high waist slacks: In Search of Identity Me. Early 70's

Vow

I walked my daughter down the aisle.

I turned around and officiated her wedding.

I was catapulted to worship by her promise to my God-given son.

Here was her vow ...

I was loved before I met you.
My heart was tattered, bruised, and bleeding and I knew not a home to rest.
In the deepest and darkest of pits it was Jesus Himself who wrapped me up and loved this broken mess.
And like a master surgeon he cracked open my chest, giving me a new identity
He called me a chosen person, a royal priesthood, a nation who is holy
I fell in love with LOVE itself, with my Saviour who since the beginning of time found me worthy of the wait.
He waited for me. So my heart gave in and I waited for Him, never knowing the gift he had in store was more magnificent, more glorious than even the most beautiful of stars. After all, you think God would spare you the wrapping paper, when he bought you a luxury car?
Then He spoke and brought me into your life. Like Eve to Adam in the Garden of Eden, he said “Now”…and I said…”Wow!!!”
You were a reflection of the heart of Christ from start; it’s true.
But the enemy of my soul would scream that if you saw the real me I’d be sure to lose you.
I knew Jesus could love me just as I am… but could you?
But like a fearless warrior you busted down each wall, giving me a new identity. 
You called me the most supreme of Queens, a beauty from ashes, a testimony of God’s grace. 
That even the fire I was afraid of in myself, you would never ever dream to replace. 
I fell in love with the image of Jesus in you, with my Saviour who since the beginning of time knew this very moment would be worth the wait.
He called out the darkness in me and spoke out light. You called out the weakness in me and spoke out strength. And like His mirror, you continue to carefully follow the steps of the One who keeps us on the frequency of His wavelength. 
It is here I find my home, you carry it in your heart. And it is the power of the gospel truth and the story of His love that even death can never part. Someone once told me you can only give the kind of love you have received. So my darling, it is a lifelong promise I give you when I say all your life to you I will cleave. 
Your father Apollos would have been so proud of the man you are today. And it is my greatest honor, knowing he is watching and smiling from Heaven, to promise him that by your side I will always stay. 
I was loved before I met you. And it is because of this profoundly precious truth that I stand before you with a vow strong as eternity starting with the words, “I do.”

Nika speaking words of life to Emeka / Photography: Brant Smith 

 
 

Chained

The plethora of voices fueling our actions are like intertwined chains shackling us to our fixations.

We kick each other's shins due to undisclosed perceptions.

If I suddenly hit your shin with heavy duty Doc Marten's, you'd probably punch me in the nose.

If I abruptly hint that I need to squash your shin because a scorpion is poised to sting ... you'd probably buy me lunch.

Our chains must be subdued by clarity.

This is  where the Word of God does its best punch.

Photography: Benny Dychangco / Medan, North Sumatra

Mentor

When academics sets a course beyond books and into life, deep impact occurs.

When your esteemed teacher shoots hoops and is willing to run with you for miles, you've got more than a friend.

Suddenly, it is no longer Greek to me.

Dr. Buist M. Fanning III (DPhil Oxford University) / Chair and Senior Professor of New Testament Studies / Dallas Theological Seminary. My Iron Sharpener.

© 2016 Oil and Dew Ltd